Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-22
SUMNER AND UNION.
Charles Summers Effort to OblIteraro Evil
dences OF Civil Strife.

dences OF Civil Strife.
Washington Post.
1t is not generally remembered that 81
effort on the part of Charles Sumner to
wipe out all traces of the war created fol
awhile condition of affairs similar to
that which is now exciting the country
On December 2, 1872, he introduced in
the United States Senate this bill:
Whereas, the national unity and good
will among fellow citizens can be assured
only through oblivion of past differences,
and 1t is contrary TO the usage of civil
lied nations to perpetuate the memory
OF civil war; therefore
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
in Congress assembled, that the names of
battles with fellow citizens shall not be
continued in the army register or placed
on the regimental colors of the United
States.
Ga December Is, 1872, Mr.. Whitelaw
Reid, editor of the New York Tribune,
said editorially in that paper of this bill:
We want the Union and are thoroughly
sensible of its blessings and its advan-
tases, but we do uot want any union,
itself moral disintegration, which shall
!
tanned, not by the ties of common affec-
ton and mutual confidence, but by the
| iron bands of legal authority. We want
| something at least of the generous senti-
ments which were over strong and so
salutsry. We have had a family quarrel;
how is the family harmony to be brought
back again?
The greatest error which the north can
fall into will be that of unreasonable and
overweeniDg pride in its mere military
successes, and it is against this that the
learned Senator from Massachu-
sets more particularly desires to
guard US. Ali these years since the
lRst gun of war was fred we have been
f2aaiting for reconciliation. When it has
factually come OF laSt-and we pray that
mt may come soOn-we shall care little
teDOugh to parade the flames of success
ful battletields upon our banners. Mag
nanimlty is one 0f the best qualities OF the
soldier, and it is one in which our own
brave fellows have not shown themselves
deficient. Whether We are or are not be-
EsIe we'd, Rgn1ust confess ourselves weary
OF ehLsSstfu beginning and never ending
wrangle. 1t appears to US that q rarely
noble opportunity is now offered the in,
coming administration Of promoting peace
and good will amongst our citizens
Notwithstanding this, on December g,
1872, the Massachusetts, Legislature
passed the following resolutions remon-
strating against the passage of the bill
which provides that the names of battles
with fellow citizens shall not be con-
tinued in the army register or placed on
the regimental Colors of the United
States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives in general court assem-
bled that
Whereas, bill has been introduced
into the Senate Of the United States by
Senator from Massachusetts, providing
"that the names of the battles with fel-
low citizens shall not be continued in the |
army register or placed on regimenfal |
colors of the United States" and |
Whereas, the passage of such bill |
would be an insult to the LOYAL soldery |
of the nation and depreciate their grand |
achievements III the late rebellion there |
fore,
Resolved, that such legislation meets
the unqualified condemnation If the peo-
pie Of this commonwealth.
Resolved, that the Governor be re-
quested to forward to our Senators and
in Congress copies of
these resolutions.
These resolutions were received by
the United States Senate January 9,
1873. They slept on the files with Mr.
Summers bill until March TO- 1874, a
year and two months and one day, when
Mr., Boutwell,, Summers colleague, of
fered the following letter from the Gov
ernor of Massachusetts, with accom-
panying resolutions passed by the Legis-
lature of that state:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS, |
BOSTON, March 2, 1871. )
Hon. George S. Boutwell,
SIR-By vote of the nth ult., the gen.
eTRl court requested ME to forward to
our Senators and r representatives. in Con-
gress copies of the resolutions passed by
the present Legislature, resembling and
annulliug the resolve passed by the Leg
islsture in 1872 concerning the army reg
lister and national battlehags. 1t gives
me pleasure to comply with this request,
and herewith enclose copy of said res
oiution. w. B. WAsHBURN, Governor.
Senator Boutwell, and Senator Sumner
being present, then offered with the
above letter the accompanying resOlu-
tons, as follows:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in
the year 1S74.-Resolye resembling and
snnulling resolution passed December
Is, 1872, relating to army register and
battle flags;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of
in general court as
sembled, that the resolution passed on
December Is, 1872, at the extra session
of the Legislature OF that year, relAting to
q Kill introduced in the Senate of the
United States concerning the army regis
ter and regimental colors of the United
States be and hereby is resclnded and an
nulled.
The next day, March II, 1874, at 2:3O
p. m. Mr. Sumner died.
The number of reigning sovereigns in